TAMPA, FL - Whenever Adam Horn needs a break he heads out back to his Bucs man cave.
“This is my shrine to the Buccaneers,” said Horn. “Been collecting old Bucs memorabilia since the creamsicle days. I ‘ve been a Bucs fan for that long. I’ve suffered through all the losing years.”
Adam put his collection together through mostly flea markets and garage sales. From an old Bucs helmet phone once part of the spectacle that is the NFL Draft
“They used to have these on the tables of the draft where the GM would call,” horn said.
To the foundation of the Tampa 2 – one of the best defensive schemes in league history.
“This is a Monte Kiffin playbook right here,” Horn said, holding what used to be Brad Culpepper’s actual playbook for the Bucs defense. “It’s got all of the original rules and plays.”
And, of course, some famous signatures.
“This is a Derrick Brooks autographed ball. This is a Mike Alstott helmet down here that my wife got me for Christmas this year. The Warren Sapp jersey. Warren is my favorite Buccaneer, so that is really special for me,” said Horn.
Aside from being a big time fan, Adam is a popular Bucs podcaster.
“Our podcast is called ‘Loose Cannons Podcast,’” said Horng. “We’ve had a lot of players on there. Bruce Arians has come on and really given us some insight that most fans and really even media don’t get.”
For this lifelong Bucs fan, who once proudly wore a mullet and Vinny Testaverde shirt on school picture day, being recognized by other diehard Bucs fans is surreal.
“I never thought I would have this type of access. I pinch myself all the time, man. It’s brought so much to my life,” said Horn.
While Adam loves being in his Bucs man cave, he loves being around Bucs fans more. So, it’s out the door and off to another Bucs tailgate.
Adam is hanging with some of the most passionate Bucs fans in Tampa.
“I love this city, I love these teams,” said Devon Garnett, a DJ and podcast host of ‘Loose Pucks’ podcast. “This is what is it all about – camaraderie, everyone out here having a good time, we haven’t had this in a while. We deserve this.”
“Knowing someone who is as passionate as me who goes back way beyond – going to the Houlihan’s stadium – he knows the Yuccaneers were all about,” said friend and podcast co-host Samer Ali.
That includes some of the “OGs” of this Bucs tailgate.
“We don’t back down, we’re not bandwagon, we’re always here, we support the Bucs,” said Brian Olsen, who has a tailgate trailer covered in autographs from fellow tailgaters and former Bucs.
“It’s for the family, it’s for the friends, it’s the relationships we built,” said fan Kyle Mullan. “I’ve been coming here since third grade to every game with my dad.”
Plenty of food on the grill, and plenty of Bucs family all around. A diehard like Adam Horn couldn’t ask for much more.
“We’re a family, man,” said Horn.